Chicago Woman Dies After Abortion at Planned Parenthood

A 24-year-old woman died late Friday after a second-trimester abortion at a Planned Parenthood clinic in downtown Chicago.

Tonya Reaves was pronounced dead at 11:20 p.m., according to the Cook County Examiner's office. An autopsy on Saturday showed that Reaves died from hemorrhage after a Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) procedure, which is usually performed in the second trimester. A D&E procedure consist of dilating the cervix and removing the unborn baby in pieces. The medical examiner's office said that an intrauterine pregnancy also contributed to her death.

"Abortion deaths like this are completely avoidable. When a woman bleeds to death after an abortion, it is usually an indication of error on the part of the abortionist coupled with a delay in calling for emergency assistance," said Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue and Pro-Life Nation, in a statement Sunday. "Our heartfelt prayers go out to the victim's family at this time of tragic loss."

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Reaves was taken from the Planned Parenthood clinic at 18 S. Michigan Avenue to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she died. Reaves' death was ruled an accident, according to the Chicago newspaper.

The abortion-caused death occurred during a time when Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, is facing attacks on all fronts. In Arizona, a new state law has cut off public funding to the organization because it is an abortion provider. Last Monday, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit in an Arizona district court against the state, arguing that defunding the group limits women from receiving other preventive health services, including breast cancer exams and sexually transmitted diseases. In reality, Planned Parenthood does not offer mammograms, only referrals for them.

And earlier this month, Alliance Defending Freedom (formerly Alliance Defense Fund) filed a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood, alleging that the group filed false claims with Medicaid and collected $28 million.

Despite escalating controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood, President Obama has been a dependable supporter of the organization. The Obama administration's Health and Human Services announced a grant totaling $1 million (to be paid over three years) to Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis this month. The announcement comes after the Tennessee legislature and the Shelby County Commission cut funding to Memphis' Planned Parenthood.

"In light of this tragedy (Tonya Reaves), which is yet another in a long list of Planned Parenthood abuses, we call on President Obama to immediately withdraw all Federal funding and personal support from Planned Parenthood," urged Newman. "Friday's death is yet another reason why men and women of conscience across this nation cannot and will not comply with the forced funding of abortion and its intentional violation of religious liberties."